Nevermind Kurt Cobain: rock stars who inspired musicals – in pictures

As Courtney Love discusses plans for a stage show using the songs of the Nirvana frontman, take a look at these musicals about pop and rock stars, from Johnny Cash to Susan Boyle
  
  


Lee Ormsby (The Big Bopper), Matthew Wycliffe (Buddy Holly) and Miguel Angel (Ritchie Valens) in
Lee Ormsby (The Big Bopper), Matthew Wycliffe (Buddy Holly) and Miguel Angel (Ritchie Valens) in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story at the Duchess theatre in 2007. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian
This undated photo supplied by the Studio Arena Theatre shows Jeb Brown, left, Jarrod Emick, Dan Immel, background, and Jason Edwards, right, in
Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical which opened in Buffalo, New York, in 2005 and then spent two months on Broadway. Photograph: Joan Marcus/AP Photograph: JOAN MARCUS/AP
Lennon, the musical celebrating the life and songs of John Lennon, ran on Broadway for 49 performances in 2005. Photograph: Joan Marcus/AP Photograph: JOAN MARCUS/AP
Stephen Ashfield (Bob Gaudio), Ryan Molloy (Frankie Valli), Glenn Carter (Tommy DeVito), and Philip Bulcock (Nick Massi) 'Jersey Boys - The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons' musical, Prince Edward Theatre, London, Britain - 10 Mar 2008.
Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, at the Prince Edward theatre in London in 2008. Photograph: Ray Tang/Rex Features Photograph: Ray Tang/Rex Features
Sahr Ngaujah (Fela) in Fela! @ Olivier, National Theatre. Directed by Bill T. Jones. (Opening 16-11-10).
Sahr Ngaujah as Fela Kuti in Fela! at the National Theatre in 2010. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian
Elaine C Smith as Susan Boyle in I Dreamed A Dream (UK Tour 2012).
Elaine C Smith as Susan Boyle in the UK tour of I Dreamed a Dream in 2012. Photograph: Keith Pattison Photograph: Keith Pattison/pr
Let It Be – the Beatles story – at the Prince of Wales theatre in 2012
Let It Be – the Beatles story – at the Prince of Wales theatre in 2012: Emanuele Angeletti as Paul McCartney, Reuven Gershon as John Lennon and Stephen Hill as George Harrison. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian
This image released by the The O+M Co. shows, Jessie Mueller as Carole King in Beautiful - The Carole King Musical on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theater.
Jessie Mueller as Carole King in Beautiful - The Carole King Musical on Broadway in 2014. Photograph: Joan Marcus/AP Photograph: Joan Marcus/AP
Elvis The Musical 1978, Shakin Stevens as middle aged Elvis.
Elvis – the Musical, in 1978, featured three performers playing Presley including Shakin' Stevens. Photograph: Klaus Hiltscher Photograph: Klaus Hiltscher
 

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